FirstBank Leads Economic Growth Debate at Nigeria Outlook 2026

FirstBank has announced plans to host the Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026, a flagship forum aimed at shaping conversations around resilience, growth and strategic decision-making in a fast-changing global economy.

Scheduled for Tuesday, January 6, the annual customer-focused session will be held under the theme “The Great Calibration: Mastering Resilience in an Era of Asynchronous Growth.”

The forum is designed to equip businesses, investors and individuals with timely insights into Nigeria’s economic direction as the new year unfolds.

The 2026 edition will assess Nigeria’s economic performance over the past year, offer projections for the year ahead and examine how global and domestic trends are likely to influence policy, markets and enterprise decisions.

FirstBank said the initiative reflects its long-standing commitment to financial inclusion and economic empowerment.

Speaking ahead of the event, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said the forum underscores the bank’s role in helping customers navigate uncertainty with clarity and confidence.

“As we enter a new year, the Nigeria Economic Outlook will provide a platform for our customers and stakeholders to better understand the complexities of Nigeria’s economic environment in 2026,” she said, adding that “The goal is to enable informed decision-making through expert insights that can drive transformative progress for both businesses and individuals.”

The keynote address will be delivered by Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist and Managing Director, Research and Trade Intelligence at Afreximbank, who is expected to offer a broad perspective on macroeconomic risks and opportunities across Africa and beyond.

A high-level panel discussion will follow, bringing together leading economists and industry figures, including Olusegun Zaccheaus, Chief Economist at PwC; Francis Anatogu, Chief Executive, Transaharan; Professor Bongo Adi of Lagos Business School; Niyi Yusuf, Managing Partner, Verraki; Cheta Nwanze, Lead Partner at SBM Intelligence; Osahon Ogieva, Deputy Managing Director, FirstBank Ghana; Ayokunle Ojo, Head, Treasury Sales and Derivatives Marketing, FirstBank; and Laura Fisayo-Kolawole, Head, Equities and Alternative Solutions at First Asset Management.

The panel will be moderated by Chike Uzoma, Head, Strategy and Corporate Development at FirstBank.

Participation in the forum is open to interested stakeholders, with registration available online.

FirstBank said the session aligns with its broader vision of supporting Nigerians in achieving their financial aspirations while contributing to sustainable economic growth.

As Nigeria navigates evolving fiscal, monetary and global pressures, the bank reaffirmed its commitment to remaining a trusted partner in personal, business and corporate financial decisions, helping to shape a more resilient and prosperous economic future.